Klarinet Archive - Posting 000746.txt from 1999/05

From: HatNYC62@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Tonguing
Date: Sun, 16 May 1999 09:43:27 -0400

There was a question recently about tonguing and how it is taught. Let me
offer a few thoughts. The technique of articulating clearly is difficult to
teach because it is internal, true. But it is not impossible to teach
properly. However, it is very difficult to teach it if you can't do it
yourself.

The Bonade book has an excellent description of developing proper
articulation. It is worth owning and reading.

I find that the best way to get the student to finally 'get it' is to
demonstate it and make them copy it aurally. I tried many ways of explaining
it verbally, but demonstrating and copying was always the most effective. In
my opinion, it is better to be able to do it than to be able to explain it.
Both would be nice, but if a student can do it, eventually he/she will figure
out how it is done anyway.

The other main problem with the way students learn articulation is
priorities. The priorities of most clarinet students who are having problems
with tonguing (usually because they are taking the Concertino to contest in a
week) are:
1. speed
2. coordination
3. quality (if this one is on the list at all)
I suggest that these priorities should be completely reversed when teaching
articulation. Speed is determined, finally, by nature. . .and only after all
obstacles of improper habits are removed first. Coordination must be an
integral part of learning proper tonguing. This too, is explained beautifully
by Bonade.

I would be happy to give a free hour session to anyone on the list who wants
to travel to upper Manhattan. Or, I suggest getting a copy of the Bonade book
and a copy of Marcellus's Mozart Concerto recording, in which Bonade's
principles are executed as beautifully as they ever have.

-David Hattner, NYC

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